Do political systems effect the frequency of violent conflict within and between cultures? By Brian Manoogian

Hypothesis: As political systems increase in complexity and size, the frequency of internal and external conflict will decrease due to the stabilization effect of such systems.

SPSS Variables used to test hypothesis: V237- Jurisdictional Hierarchy Beyond Local Community V693- Frequency of Inter-community Armed Conflict V759- Perceptions of Political Leaders’ Power V773- Internal Warfare V782- Acceptability of Violence Toward Members of Same Society But Outside Local Community V891- Frequency of Internal War V892- Frequency of External War (Attacking) V893- Frequency of External War (Being Attacked) V895- Decision to Engage in War V1132- Political Integration

Significant Crosstabulations:

Insignificant Crosstabulations V237-Jurisdictional Hierarchy Beyond Local Community Vs: 1)-- V773-Internal Warfare 2)-- V782-Acceptability of Violence Towards Members of Same Society but Outside Local Community 3)-- V891-Frequency of Internal War V1132-Political Integration Vs: 2)-- V782-Acceptability of Violence Towards Members of the Same Society but Outside Local Community

Correlate Findings Political systems of greater complexity (more hierarchical levels) strongly correlate in a positive linear fashion with higher frequencies of external warfare (both for attacking and being attacked). Political systems of greater complexity (more hierarchical levels) strongly correlate inversely with the frequency of inter-community armed conflict. Greater amounts of political integration (greater magnitude, centralization, and sovereignty) strongly correlates in a positive linear fashion with higher frequencies of external warfare (both for attacking and being attacked). Greater amounts of political integration (greater magnitude, centralization, and sovereignty) strongly correlates inversely with inter-community armed conflict.

Possible correlate determinants More complex political systems typically are established in industrialized cultures/states which have better economic and more powerful means of becoming involved in conflict with other cultures in order to expand territory, acquire goods, or to fulfill other general political motives. There exists a balance of power between such cultures worldwide, which is in constant conflict. As cultures become more centralized, resources become scarce, fostering inter-community conflict.

Possible significance of findings Although according to dominant western thought, more highly evolved and industrialized societies view complex political systems as a “more civilized,” the correlate evidence implies that there may exist more civility in cultures that do not have complex, multi-leveled political systems because they are involved in less violent conflict.

Conclusion My original hypothesis was incorrect according to the correlate findings concerning external warfare. My hypothesis did apply to the relationship between political complexity and inter-community armed conflict. There was no correlation found between political complexity and the frequency of internal war or the acceptability of violence towards others of the same society, but outside the local community.

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